Edris Abdulkareem’s Protest Song Gains Massive Streams After NBC Ban

• Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem’s protest song, Tell Your Papa, continues to gain attention despite NBC’s broadcast ban.

• NBC banned a Nigerian track on April 10, 2025, due to a violation of the broadcasting code.

• The ban has sparked interest in the song, which has gone viral on various streaming platforms.

Veteran Nigerian rapper Eedris Abdulkareem is gaining momentum despite a recent broadcast ban on his politically charged track Tell Your Papa. The song, which criticizes President Bola Tinubu’s administration, has gone viral on digital platforms following its prohibition by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The NBC issued the ban on April 10, 2025, citing violations of the Nigerian broadcasting code. Rather than silencing the song, the restriction appears to have amplified public interest. On YouTube alone, Tell Your Papa has jumped from 22,754 views and 1,200 likes shortly after release to over 89,000 views and 2,800 likes. Spotify has also recorded over 30,000 streams for the track.

In reaction, Abdulkareem drew parallels between this incident and the censorship of his 2004 protest hit Jaga Jaga, accusing the government of stifling free speech and constructive criticism.

On Instagram, he commented, “It’s obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government.”

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) criticized the ban, predicting it would only boost the song’s visibility. Similarly, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka condemned the NBC’s actions in a statement from New York University, Abu Dhabi. He labeled the move a dangerous slide back into censorship and an attack on freedom of expression.

With irony, Soyinka suggested that the government hadn’t gone far enough in its censorship: “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is a member, should also go under the hammer.”

Though Soyinka admitted he hadn’t listened to the song, he argued the issue transcends lyrics, highlighting the fundamental right to free expression. “The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him.”

Public response online has largely supported Abdulkareem, with many Nigerians criticizing the ban and praising the rapper for using his platform to speak truth to power.

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Reacting to the post…

A YouTube user, Sheggzyunited, commented: “Naija government, this is 2025, for goodness’ sake. There is no single lie in the song.”

Another fan, Asa Anthony, added: “They were too quick to ban it because the message was well passed. We mount on streaming platforms and social media.”

An Instagram user, @directorjoelmatt, echoed the sentiment: “Our government doesn’t like the truth.”